Shaker-operating mechanism



A. L. STEERE.

SHAKER OPERAT'NG MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED OCT- 10. 1919.

l,336,322@ tented Apr. 6, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

A. L. STEERE.

SHAKER OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED OCT-10.1919.

Patented Apr. 6, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

l (1266771 539678 l %M balzarzzg 'g ALBERT L. STEELE-E, QF PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA.

SHAKEROPERATING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 6, 1920.

A Application filed October 10, 1919. Serial No. 329,678.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT L. Srnnnn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Petersburg, in the county of Dinwiddie and State of Virginia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Shaker-Operating Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

This invention. relates to operating mechanism for shakers or screens for various kinds of cleaning and separating machines, and isv particularly applicable to that type of shakers used in mechanism for treating peanuts and the like. The objects of the invention are to provide a rigid and durable mechanism operatively applicable in various positions and embodying chilled or hardened parts capable of withstanding wear and adapted for heavy service; to permit ready and expeditious adjustment of the several parts when necessary; to prevent undue heating of the working parts by automatic lubrication thereof, and to generally improve shaker or screen operating mechanism and render the same more advantageous in structural organization.

The essential feature of the invention consists in a novel means for imparting interacting vertical and longitudinal reciprocating movements to a shaker or screen. The invention also consists in the details of construction and arrangement of the several parts which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a ma chine particularly adapted for treating peanuts and embodying a shaker or screen having the improved operating mechanism mounted thereon and illustrating one practical application of the invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevationypartially in section, of the shaker or screen shaft broken. through and showing the improved mechanism in connection therewith in end elevation and transverse section.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view, partially in horizontal section, of the parts illustrated by Fig. 2.

Fig. 4. is a transverse vertical section taken in the plane of the line 44, Fig. 2.

The numeral 5 designates a cleaning and separating machine of known form having a shaker screen box 6 movably hung or mounted at one end, as at 7, and having the opposite end provided with a connecting cross strip 8 above which a suitably driven operating shaft 9 is mounted in suitable bearings in the opposite sides 10 of the machine and provided with elongated keys or feathers 9 near the said bearings and inside of the machine sides.

The improvement comprises opposite driving yokes or forks 11 individually secured on the upper side of the cross strip 8 near the ends of the latter, as shown in the present application, these yokes being in transverse alinement and of duplicate construction. Each yoke or fork consists of a secured base 12 with a yoke or fork members 13 projecting therefrom in predetermined spaced relation and provided with chilled faces 14: with an outward taper. That is, the inner opposing sides or faces of the yoke or fork members are inclined to gradually reduce the space between them in an outward direction. A vertically movable slide block 15 is mounted between and has opposite inclined sides 16 to engage and correspond to the taper of said yoke or form members 13, said block having a tapered opening 17 eccentrically therethrough. Each block also has its top portion cored out to form a lubricant chamber 18 of the shape shown by Fig. 4, the said chamber being deeper adjacent to its opposite end walls. as at 19. Outlet holes 20 are formed in the lower portions of the end walls of this chamber 18 to permit the lubricant to feed outwardly to the outer surfaces of the sides of the block and the chilled faces 14. of the yoke or fork members 13. The chamber 18 also has a central outlet hole 21 leading to the wall of the tapered eccentric opening 17.

It is preferred that hard grease be placed in the chamber 18 and as it melts or reduces to a flowing state from heat generated by the operating parts, the several movable parts will be automatically lubricated. By this means undue heating of the working parts is prevented and wear of the moving parts thereby reduced to a minimum.

In the opening 17 of each block 15 a tapered eccentric 22 is mounted and has a central opening 23 therethrough for the shaft 9 and a key groove 24 to engage one of the elongated keys or feathers 9 of the said shaft. Each eccentric is of such length as to permit adjustment thereof longitudinally in the block 15 on the shaft 9 to compensate for wear, and is held in operative association with said block by a collar 25 having a set screw 26 impinging against the shaft.

The two outwardly tapered eccentrics 22 and similarly tapered eccentric openings 17 of the blocks 15 provide against side thrust of the associated parts and will result in regular retention of the shaker on the shaft, and the telescopic adjustment of the eccentrics in the block on the shaft will quickly affordmeans forquickly and positively taking up lost motion. The shaft 9 is not required to be turned down or reduced at any portion thereof, and weakening of the said shaft is thus avoided.

From the foregoing the operationof the improved mechanism will be readily under- .stood. The blocks by their reciprocative movement in the yokes or forks and the eccentrics rotating in the blocks will give the desired actuation to the shaker, or cause the latter to regularly oscillate.

The improved mechanism is not confined in its application to precise position, and the several parts may be varied as to their general proportions and dimensions. It is proposed to apply and use the improved mechanism in connection with any device requiring an oscillating movement to be imparted thereto.

Having fully described my invention, I claim 1. The combination with a shaker and operating shaft, of yokes oppositely disposed on a portion of the shaker and having reciprocating blocks mounted therein, and eccentrics 0n the shaft and individually engaging the blocks, the inner opposing portions of the yokes, the sides of the blocks 3. The combination with a shaker-and an operating shaft, of fork members disposed in opposite positions on a portion of the shaker and provided with outward tapers, blocks having sides corresponding inform to and reciprocatingly engaging said fork members, each block having an outwardly tapered opening eccentrically formed therethrough, and eccentrics adjustable on the shaft and operatively engaging the block opemngs. I

4. The combination with a shaker and an operating shaft, of fork members disposed in opposite positions on a portion ofthe shaker and provided with outward tapers, blocks having sides corresponding in form to and reciprocatingly engaging said fork members, each block having an outwardly tapered opening eccentrically formed'therethrough, said blocks also havingupper, lubricating chambers opening outwardly therefrom and rovided with side and central feed holes for automatic lubrication of the several parts, and eccentrics adjustable on the shaft and operatively engaging the block openings.

5. The combination with a shaker and operating shaft therefor, of means oppositely disposed on a portion of the shaker and having reciprocating devices mounted therein, and eccentrics on the shafts individually engaging and rotatable in the said devices, the said means, devices and eccentrics being relatively constructed. to prevent outward movement of the devices and eccentrics beyond predetermined normal positions.

6. The combination with a shaker and operating shaft therefor, of means oppositely disposed in fixed positions on portions of the shaker and having reciprocatingdevices mounted therein, and eccentrics shiftably mounted on the shaft and individually. engaging the said devices, the eccentrics on the shaft eccentrically engaging the said devices.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ALBERT L. STEERE.

Witnesses JAMES C. REEs, Jr., H. B. GILLIAM. 

